Spain and France strengthen their agricultural cooperation ties in favour of sustainable and sufficient food production

During the summit, Presidents Pedro Sánchez and Emmanuel Macron signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Kingdom of Spain and the French Republic, establishing a framework for cooperation between the two countries, which will serve to strengthen the deep bilateral relationship by identifying key areas of cooperation and the objectives on which we must work together.

This general treaty addresses a number of issues relating to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, reflecting the importance for Spain and France of the common agricultural and fisheries policies because of their fundamental influence on food security in the EU and globally. The administrations of the two countries will cooperate in this regard to develop sustainable agriculture and fisheries that guarantee the productive fabric necessary to feed consumers.

The treaty also highlights cooperation between Spain and France in the field of animal and plant health and in the management of fishery resources. The importance of the joint agricultural committees in the fruit and vegetable and wine sectors is also reiterated as a forum for dialogue between professionals and administrations. It also highlights the importance of promoting the agricultural and rural development of the outermost regions of the Union - the Canary Islands in the case of Spain - through the Programmes of Options Specifically Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI).

Declaration on agricultural cooperation

In the joint declaration on specific agricultural cooperation, presented at the meeting between Planas and Fesneau, the ministers

Pledge to continue working to strengthen EU support for Ukraine's food security and the country's productive and logistical capacity, as well as mechanisms, such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, to enable the marketing of Ukraine's produce. This initiative has been very important in stabilising agri-food markets globally.

Pecall the need for the European Commission to continue working on a concrete roadmap to ensure the availability and affordability of fertilisers, which play a key role in agricultural production.

Support the establishment of a strategy for the sustainable use of water in agricultural production to ensure a rational and efficient use of this resource, pointing out that sustainable irrigation is an important element in ensuring food security.

Undertake to continue working to strengthen the coherence between agricultural policy and other European policies, and specifically to establish reciprocity mechanisms in trade relations with third countries through instruments such as mirror clauses that ensure that imported products are obtained under the same conditions as those required of European producers.

Reaffirm the commitment of the two countries to achieve the necessary changes in the European legislative proposals on geographical indications of quality and sustainable use of plant protection products, currently under discussion. The ministers pledge to work together on the new proposals to be launched soon by the European Commission in areas such as animal welfare, food labelling and carbon storage certification. At their meeting, Ministers Planas and Fesneau discussed the situation of these dossiers in the context of the future Spanish Presidency of the Council in the second half of the year.

Commit to maintaining the policy of collaboration on animal and plant health developed over the last few decades in the framework of the Franco-Spanish-Andorran meeting on this subject. These policies are now particularly relevant in the light of the importance attached to the One Health concept.

Maintain their commitment and support for the joint fruit and vegetables and wine committees, through which representatives of the sectors and the administration of the two countries meet regularly, together with those of Italy and Portugal. The ministers shared a joint interest in the exchanges that could also take place between the agricultural sectors of the outermost regions in the context of the protection of products originating from these regions.

Non official translation